Dugout Discussion
28 December 2021 2337 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Following the rare sight of weekday 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs, Tuesday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium when Leicester City host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).

Liverpool have made five changes from the 11 that played nine days ago at Tottenham Hotspur. Their Boxing Day match with Leeds United was postponed, giving more time for Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho to recover from Covid-19 and return to the line-up.

There are no shocks regarding much-owned trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota – all three start tonight, as do Sadio Mane and Alisson.

Their three-man midfield has changed completely, with Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Fabinho in replacing Naby Keita, Tyler Morton and James Milner. The final change sees Kostas Tsimikas step in for the suspended Andrew Robertson.

Takumi Minamino and Thiago miss out with minor muscle soreness, whilst Divock Origi still hasn’t recovered from a knee problem. Sat amongst the substitutes are Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate.

Things are trickier for Leicester, as the hosts are without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira. All are joined on the injury list by Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers:

“Patson [Daka] will be three weeks, Soyuncu will be out for three weeks and Ricardo Pereira will be six to eight weeks. That’s so frustrating for him with how hard he has worked. It’s a fractured fibula and he’s lucky it’s not worse. Ryan (Bertrand) twisted his knee in the warm-up, which was disappointing.”

Unlike Liverpool, the Foxes played just two days ago and had to manage the minutes of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi accordingly. Both start here, with Timothy Castagne replacing Marc Albrighton at right-back.

In-form James Maddison is chosen for the sixth consecutive time, having returned four double-digit hauls in his last five games. The 53 points of this spell average out at 10.6 per match, linking up well with Kelechi Iheanacho during a strong second half at Manchester City.

Yet their defence conceded six times on Sunday and Salah captainers will relish the sight of Daniel Amartey and midfielder Ndidi being paired at centre-back in the absence of Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. There is only a place on the bench for Youri Tielemans, as Hamza Choudhury makes his second league start of the season.


GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Choudhury; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

Substitutes: Ward, Daley-Campbell, Nelson, Vestergaard, Albrighton, McAteer, Tielemans, Lookman, Pérez

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Beck, Williams

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FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

  1. Ian Davis
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Does anyone know why Gallagher was out today?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Rumors of covid before deadline is all I know

    2. jammie26
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Rested apparently

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        If he wasnt on the bench its more than a resting

    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Kaptain Kane said rested not COVID

    4. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Assistant manager said he was rested. I know he took a knock to the knee v spurs though.

    5. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Rested

    6. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Heard it was due to fatigue

  2. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Schmeichel in pest mode

    1. jammie26
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Great save

  3. WVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Leicester are trying there best to help Salah score

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      That's how they treat everyone.

  4. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Another week with no keeper...Everton postponed...sold Guaita

    1. fantasyfog
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      To be fair you deserve it for owning pickford

    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      There is so much disdain for anyone who goes against the template.

  5. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Everton vs Newcastle postponed

    1. jammie26
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Man lands on moon.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        That was 1969. This is 5 minutes ago. Get a grip.

        1. fantasyfog
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Still late mate

          1. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            I bet you're quite quick

            1. fantasyfog
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Well I read your post twice 5 minutes b4 you, so...

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Tried to convince people not to go dcl last night

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Even missing a fixture, I prefer him over Antonio. They play on the 2nd of Jan not long away really

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Good stuff. Didn't get Wilson or DCL because the game was late in the GW and possibly postponed.

    4. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      I was about to choose Gray over Bowen today

    5. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Source?

      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        It was flashed up during the game

      2. Amsterhammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Tartare please.

  6. el polako
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Salah getting nothing tonight.

  7. Duke Silver ☑
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Pish off Schmeichel already you tosspot

  8. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Smart from Newcastle to play the injury/Covid system.

    Likely kills Southampton DGW21.

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Premier League are dense trying to re-arrange these games during the height of this wave.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Greedy people running the world

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      They already had cases in their squad then more injuries. Pretty clear they weren’t going to have enough players

  9. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Nothing is getting past Schmeichel tonight

  10. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Schmicheal beast mode activated

  11. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Leicester clean sheet guaranteed.

    Schmeichel will get 3 Baps.

  12. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Leicester basically just conceding all the wide spaces and daring Liverpool to cross it in. Not sure if trusting 4 cdms to be well positioned is the right way to go

  13. FFFoxy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Salah non owners dodging bullets. He should be on a brace

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Non owners reaping rewards for their brave move, Salah going home with 0 points tonight.

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Egyptian (xG) King

    3. TheDragon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Salah non owners have gotten unbelievably lucky here

    4. Alexis Nonsense
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Thank God Ronaldo/Son/Kane didn't haul

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Ronaldo still to play.

        1. Alexis Nonsense
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Oh, I forgot it was a new gw...jeez

  14. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    1 point from 5 any good????

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Good for everyone around you!

  15. Matjes_taet
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Schmeichel will grab the 3 BAPS for sure.

  16. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Matip denies Vardy

  17. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Vardy should have buried that! one touch too much!

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      He said, from his couch

  18. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I wouldn’t be devastated it Salah came off now to deal with his disappointment at missing the penalty…

  19. WVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Vardy so close, great block from my tip

  20. Kun Tozser
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Leicester look good for a goal

  21. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    0-0..that'll do nicely

  22. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Upset appears to be on the cards

  23. Gubby-Allen
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I am going to auction my captaincy pick on Ebay each week. I have captained Salah twice before tonight, he got 2 points and 3 points those two weeks.
    In seven GWs at the start, my captain got 17 points and VC got 99.

  24. Will Kane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Earlier today I was having a discussion with someone on here where I explained Kane was the better pick than Salah. We agreed Salah was the 'fear' pick and Kane the more sensible transfer in. I just hope he took my advice - unfortunately I didn't! The fear got me.....

  25. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Matip going on an adventure...

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Rudiger run

  26. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Someone put a voodoo curse on Salah earlier

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      How many games it will last? Chelsea game too?

      1. Babit1967
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I can’t remember to be fair, think the poster mentioned just for today. Sure someone can paste the link lol

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      I remember that. It was top of a page and in BLOCK CAPITAAAALS.

      T’was ominous!

  27. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    C'mon Jota, do something!

  28. Team Bobcat
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Newcastle drew with ManUtd and their team was ravaged by Covid and injuries. Do they ever think they might be better off without those injured and Covid hit players long term.

    Same for Everton. One of the better results of the season achieved against Chelsea and what do they do. Oh we better call off the next game lest the kids show up the pros again.

    Give youth a chance. Should be no games everposponed considering the depth of underage players in any club. But thats too late now as the precedent was set when the PL bowed to Tottenham.

    Cant really blame other teams for following

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      In Newcastle's case, they'll benefit massively from the transfer window and Wilson/ASM are probably their two best players. They're definitely better off with a postponement, even if it means facing a fully fit DCL.

  29. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Salah shocking

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Mane dropping another rashford performance so far

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Newcastle Southampton must be very likely to be called off as well now? Frustrating as broja livramento owner